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Undocumented at heart of issue

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published December 8, 2006

Re: Bus won't stop here anymore, story, Dec. 3.

In Sunday's paper, there was a story that discussed the decision to take off a bus stop for some children attending Skycrest Elementary School because they lived less than 2 miles from the school.

The story went on to say that many of the parents of these children are undocumented immigrants and do not drive.

The county spends a lot of money on the children of undocumented immigrants. They get special education classes if they need them and they get food stamps and Medicaid.

This would be fine if we could afford it, but the truth is, we cannot.

The classes are overcrowded. Teachers are underpaid and have to buy a lot of supplies out of their own pockets. A large part of our tax money goes to schools, and our taxes go up every year, so this is a problem for all of the people who live in Pinellas and pay taxes.

In the Dec. 4 paper, there was a story about the homeless and how they need clothes and a place to live.

These are not undocumented immigrants. They are American citizens who are down on their luck or disabled. They cannot find cheap housing.

In last week's paper, there was a story about how mentally ill people are in jail because the head of the state Department of Children and Families could not find them a place to live. No housing cheap enough for them.

Seems to me with all the needy people here in Pinellas who are legal residents and need help, we should not be so generous with the children of undocumented immigrants.

We wouldn't have so many undocumented immigrants if we stopped giving them so much aid.

D. Roper, Dunedin

Law for everyone, not just a few

The story outlines one of the overall conditions these illegal - or, as the writer described them, "undocumented" - immigrants caused themselves.

Our laws are designed for all, not the selective few. The school transportation department is giving these people a reprieve for their plight. They get to ride the bus through the remainder of the school year.

It was interesting to note the photographer's view of those crossing the Cleveland/Gulf-to-Bay intersection. They were and are oblivious to what can happen. Where were the crossing guards that were assigned for this invasion of the community? Guess this wasn't one of the assigned crossings.

Would not an organized plan established through legislative action send these humans back to their birthplace? In turn, let them apply through the rule of law to come for schooling.

Donald Kreis, Largo

Times change; bus needed now

Attention, School Board members:

When I went to elementary and junior high school here back in the dark ages (1958-1966), you had to live more than 2 miles from school to receive school bus service. I can't believe that the same limit still exists.

Times were sure different then. Nursery Road was not paved west of Keene Road, and Keene was only two lanes (one lane in each direction), as was Belcher Road. Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard was one to two lanes, and a friend of mine lived in a house on the corner of U.S. 19 and Gulf-to-Bay. Although I couldn't find what the population of Pinellas County was in 1962, I'm sure it was significantly less than now.

And the children mentioned in this article have to walk from near Missouri Avenue and Court Street to Skycrest Elementary on Cleveland Street. They must navigate to Gulf-to-Bay, cross that busy street, and keep walking what must be 1.99 miles to Skycrest Elementary. That's crazy! We're potentially talking first-graders who are 6 years old.

Please, School Board members, revisit this archaic rule and get these and other similar children rides to school. This rule was enacted when the roads and the world were much safer places.

Patty Day Perkey, Dunedin

Good jobs hard to find for seniors

The classified ads look for help: Need so many people, will train.

That is the biggest joke! I am a disabled senior looking for a job. I have put in applications at many places here in the Clearwater-Largo area - places like Publix, Winn Dixie, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Largo City Hall. No phone calls or response back.

I went for an interview on Tuesday, and they said they would call that night or on Wednesday for a second interview. Nothing. Is it because when they see you, they change their minds?

Yes, you can go to AARP and they will get you something to do, but you have to travel and they don't pay for gas. But that isn't a full-time job; it is part time and not much pay.

It is hard to find a job on your own, especially when they are not hiring seniors. So where does a senior stand?

Norma Hoxter, Clearwater

Your voice counts

You may submit a letter to the editor for possible publication through our Web site at www.tampabay.com/letters, or by faxing it to (727) 445-4119, or by mailing it to Letters, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. You must include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

[Last modified December 8, 2006, 06:57:01]